Power Contactor and Method for Checking the Function of a Power Contactor

Abstract

A power contactor and a method for checking a functioning of a power contactor are disclosed. In an embodiment a power contactor includes a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact, a switching element configured to assume an open position and a closed position, wherein, in the closed position, the switching element connects the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact to one another, and wherein, in the open position, the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are insulated from one another and a current sensor integrated into the power contactor, wherein the current sensor is configured to detect a current intensity of a current flowing through the power contactor.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A power contactor comprising:
 a first electrical contact;   a second electrical contact;   a switching element configured to assume an open position and a closed position, wherein, in the closed position, the switching element connects the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact to one another, and wherein, in the open position, the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are insulated from one another; and   a current sensor integrated into the power contactor, wherein the current sensor is configured to detect a current intensity of a current flowing through the power contactor.   
     
     
         12 . The power contactor according to  claim 11 ,
 wherein the first and second electrical contacts are arranged in a load circuit, and   wherein the power contactor is configured to detect a current intensity of a current flowing through the load circuit.   
     
     
         13 . The power contactor according to  claim 11 , wherein the current sensor comprises a Hall sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The power contactor according to  claim 11 , wherein the current sensor surrounds one of the electrical contacts. 
     
     
         15 . The power contactor according to  claim 11 , wherein the current sensor comprises a shunt resistor. 
     
     
         16 . The power contactor according to  claim 11 , wherein the current sensor is interconnected in series with one of the electrical contacts. 
     
     
         17 . The power contactor according to  claim 11 , further comprising an interface configured to provide data detected by the current sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The power contactor according to  claim 11 , wherein the current sensor is calibrated in such a way that magnetic fields generated by the power contactor are taken into account in a measurement of the current intensity. 
     
     
         19 . A method for checking a functioning of a power contactor according to  claim 11 , the method comprising:
 calibrating the current sensor; and   functionally testing the switching element,   wherein calibrating the current sensor and functionally testing the switching element are performed at the same time.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein, during calibrating the current sensor, magnetic fields generated by the switching element and/or by the electrical contacts are identified and taken into account in calibrating the current sensor.